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The Westlock Pioneer Museum is operated by the Westlock & District Histrorical Society. The Society, established in 1962, had the vision of preserving the history of the area, and passing it on to future generations. The Historical Society started collecting artifacts that told the story of the town and the people who helped to develop it.
The Society began storing the collection in two unused former schoolhouses that were located on the Westlock Agricultural Society fairgrounds. In 1989, members of the Historical Society decided to ask permission to exhibit as many items as there was room for at the Westlock Fair. The exhibit was such a success that they received permission from the Town Council to use an empty schoolroom in the Westlock Elementary School for one year.
However, after that year, the collections were such a popular feature that it became evident that it was time to find them a permanent home. One building that seemed ideal for that very purpose was the old swimming pool. The Society and the Town of Westlock renovated the change rooms into three display rooms and a boardroom, and on November 13, 1991, the Westlock Pioneer Museum opened its doors to the public. |
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Today, the Westlock Pioneer Museum has over 6,000 items in its collections. These artifacts are displayed in different theme rooms. The Community Institutes Room represents various places that defined the identity of the early town of Westlock. Included in this room are artifacts from a school, a hospital, a store, and other places as well. The Kitchen is a true to life model of an actual pioneer kitchen, with hundreds of examples of dishes, linens, and cookware. In the Living and Relaxing in the Home area, visitors can see what a pioneer living room and bedroom looked like, with many interesting items including handmade quilts, gorgeous antique wedding gowns, and a full porcelain wash set from England. The Archive Room houses many fascinating pictures of Westlock as it was in the 19th and early 20th century, as well as records from various clubs and organizations founded during the early days of the town. Also, in May 2005, the Westlock Pioneer Museum received a beautiful 140 piece Aladdin Kerosene lamp collection, one of the largest of its kind in Western Canada. This lovely collection is now proudly housed in the Lamp Room, which had previously been the Museum's boardroom. The Agricultural Building which was built in 1993, holds a vast array of farming tools and equipment. A few highlights of this building are a magnificently restored 1920 McLaughlin automobile, the Trueblood gun collection, and comprehensive displays on doing laundry and making butter in the days of the pioneer. The Wiese Phonograph Collection is our newest exhibt and is one of the most extensive collections of phonographs in Western Canada. Many of the machines and records are rare or one of a kind which makes the exhibt very spectacular |
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The Westlock Pioneer Musem has compeleted its exapansion and connecion the two buildings by means of a breezeway. The grand opening of both the expansion and the phonograph collection took place on July 17, 2008 and was well attended. However, we are still trying to cover the costs involved from the construction and establishing new exhibts therefore any offers of help or monetary donations would be greatly appreciated. For more information regarding the expansion project or donations, please contact info@town.westlock.ab.ca
Each year the museum holds a pancake breakfast, and has a childrens' day. In 2008 we held our first Pioneer Day, which had a variety of pioneer demonstrations. We plan to hold one each year. Stay tuned to this site for further updates, as well as news about the Westlock Pioneer Museum and its collections! |
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